SACRAMENTO, California (Saturday March 3, 2018) – Real Monarchs played its first of three matches during its preseason trip to Davis, California on Saturday as it visited Sacramento State University, topping the hosts 4-0. Head Coach Mark Briggs led his team through four, 30 minute periods against the Hornets with two lineups in either half playing 60 minutes.

The Monarchs found goals through FWs Juan Ignacio Mare, Ricky Lopez-Espin and MF Brooks Lennon. Throughout the match, the Monarchs pressed heavily, rarely allowing the hosts out its own half of the field. The Utah side nearly found the opening goal in the 40th minute when MF Sebastian Velasquez rattled the crossbar with a long-distance strike. GKs Connor Sparrow and Andrew Putna weren't tested significantly in the match, not being forced into a save.

The second half brought in an entirely new lineup for the Monarchs as well as the game’s first goal. Early in the second stanza, DF Rhys Williams sent a cross into the box who found the head of Mare, who headed home what would be the game winning goal. Just ten minutes later, Lopez-Espin’s pressure paid dividends as he closed down a clearance from the Hornets goalkeeper who fired the ball into the onrushing Monarchs forward, deflecting the ball into the net.

In the final 30 minutes, Lennon notched two goals, receiving two assists from MF Pablo Ruiz before finishing two breakaway chances to cap the 4-0 score line.

Real Monarchs will train throughout the week in Davis before travelling to Greater Nevada Field in Reno, Nevada for a March 7 match against Western Conference rival Reno 1868 FC. During the 2017 regular-season the Monarchs went undefeated against Reno, beating 1868 FC in all three matchups between the two sides.